Exclusive Preview | ‘Bill & Ted Save the Universe’ # 1

Brian Joines brings us up to date with the new Bill and Ted adventure as the time traveling duo go intergalactic in 'Bill & Ted Save the Universe.'

They are Bill S. Preston, Esquire and Ted “Theodore” Logan, and together they are Wyld Stallyns! Next week, Bill & Ted make their triumphant return to comic book stories in Bill & Ted Save the Universe # 1. And as the name implies, the time traveling duo are about to unwillingly go on an intergalactic mission that may determine the fate of the universe and their families. But first they’ll have to get past that Dracula dude, Vlad the Impaler!

Writer Brian Joines is reuniting with the artist known as Bachan after their successful stint on Bill & Ted Go to Hell. CraveOnline recently caught up with Joines and spoke with him about the new adventure and the unexpected family drama ahead. Plus. we’ve got preview pages from the first issue which features an escape from the past that isn’t quite as simple as it seems.

Crave: How old were you when you first saw Bill & Ted?

Brian Joines: I was actually a senior in high school when Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure came out. And as someone who loved his English and theater classes but hated every other subject I was taking (with grades to reflect that), the concept of two dudes my age having to graduate in order to save the future resonated with me quite a bit.

What brings the boys back together for Bill & Ted Save the Universe?

The end of Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey suggested that the music of Wyld Stallyns would go on to bring peace to the universe (which we know is inhabited thanks to Station in that film). This story takes the beginning of that idea and runs with it, with Bill and Ted getting pulled into a conflict between the people who welcome the change and those who want to maintain the galactic status quo.

Given the intergalactic stakes hinted at in the title, will we see the boys mucking around in Earth’s history?

There’s going to be a little bit of time travel involved, but I don’t want to spoil that for any readers. This is mainly a story about Bill and Ted out among the stars. What’s great about the characters is that they’re completely adaptable to any surroundings you put them in. Time travel, the afterlife… why not outer space?

Can you offer some teases about where and when we’ll see the Wyld Stallyn go in this tale?

Bill and Ted are primarily going to be in the present (well, the present of 1994) for most the story, though we do open on them in a trip to the past involving Vlad the Impaler and Bram Stoker. Beyond that, they’re mainly in space, on starships, alien worlds, and a massive space station at the center of it all.

Who is your favorite supporting character in the Bill and Tedverse?

Man, usually my answer for this is the Grim Reaper, but I’ve grown to truly love Chuck DeNomolos since I’ve been writing him. It’s a toss-up between those two, but right now I’m giving it to Chuck. Ask me again later for a different answer!

It seems like you’re setting up Deacon to be Ted’s nemesis in this story. Tell us about that dynamic.

In the first movie, Deacon was a fairly popular kid among his peers and Ted was a borderline, dropout, wanna-be musician. Then, at the end of the second film, Ted and Bill become major rock stars destined to save the cosmos. So, for Deacon to move from being the popular kid to constantly living in his goofy brother’s shadow, there’s a bit of untapped brotherly angst there we’re going to get into.

Without giving away the big surprise, what can you tell us about the founders? And how did you decide to use them?

To my mind, it was one of the great unanswered questions of the Bill and Ted universe. It’s something I wanted to touch on in the last limited series, Bill & Ted Go to Hell, but space considerations had to come into play. So, I’m glad I got a chance to follow up with that idea here.

Can you talk to us about your collaboration with Bachan?

I love working with Bachan. He has this innate ability to take my basic ideas and turn them into these crazy designs and characters that elevate the material about ten levels. And with the aliens in this book, it’s like a perfect blend of what he brought to Go to Hell and our original series together, Imagine Agents.

Any closing hints for our readers about what to expect?

Bill and Ted struggle with their destinies as universal saviors as well as the family dynamics Deacon brings to the table. Plus, sinister space monsters, a most-excellent supporting cast, and the toaster that controls the universe. High action, high drama, high fun!

Bill & Ted Save the Universe # 1 will be released on Wednesday, June 21.

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